AirCon fault - any ideas?

[stephenmercedes]

My AirCon wasn't blowing any chilled air at all (it's a recently acquired 2001 W203 with negligible service history). I went to KwikFit for a gas recharge and on leaving, it was blowing loads of icy cold air, wonderful. But it lasted only 2 x days. I went back, and he vacuumed out the system again, and re gassed, again. worked 100% perfectly, for 2 x days.

On a pressure test he confirmed he could find no evidence of a leak, and the compressor is obviously working. Any suggestions?

 

[alabbasi]

There's a leak.

 

[stephenmercedes]

Evidence suggest that, but why doesn't it show up on a pressure test of a sealed system?

 

[alabbasi]

Because they probably did not pressure test it. They vacuum tested it and some leaks don't show up under vacuum as they require a certain pressure to start leaking. Like how an old football would leak air to a certain point and stop leaking.

 

[stephenmercedes]

Because they probably did not pressure test it. They vacuum tested it and some leaks don't show up under vacuum as they require a certain pressure to start leaking. Like how an old football would leak air to a certain point and stop leaking.

Bugger! I suppose my next step then is to take it to an AirCon specialist and be prepared for the worst?

 

[alabbasi]

Easiest thing to do is to spray around the joins with soapy water and see where the bubbles form. Find the bubbles, you find the leak. It's most likely going to be a hose fitting or the condenser.

 

[Trickythemerc]

Have a look at the condenser at the front of the cooling rad. If there is a leak you should see a dark patch where the pag oil has been blown out with the gas.

 

[cheddar]

Have a look at the condenser at the front of the cooling rad. If there is a leak you should see a dark patch where the pag oil has been blown out with the gas.

Yep, you’ll usually have to dig a load of leaves, feathers, and general crud from the lower part of it, they always corrode down there but it’s usually visible with the naked eye if it’s been re-gassed and leaked more than once.

 

[Petrol Pete]

OP , you wasted whatever Kwik Fit charged you , Nothing really wrong with what they do with air con on the face of it but they are a tyre and exhaust business that messes about with air con.

Find a local garage with the right kit and you will get a good service, and at the same time you might make the acquaintance of a decent mechanic who might surprise you with value for money on any future work you may need on your car. no chance of that happening at Kwik Fit.

 

[stephenmercedes]

OP , you wasted whatever Kwik Fit charged you , Nothing really wrong with what they do with air con on the face of it but they are a tyre and exhaust business that messes about with air con.

Not really, they have a guarantee that if they can't get your AirCon working with a re gas, you get a refund! I know many people ridicule the likes of KwikFit, but not everyone, including me, can afford the £110/hour labour charge of a MB dealer, or similar high charges that other garages charge. I'm fully aware of the limitations of KwikFit, but they do have their uses. Now I know there is a leak, I will take it to an AirCon specialist next week who I have used in the past (He's just darn awkward to get to but he has sorted out a few previous cars for me)

 

[Benzowner]

When my air con went the same way as your, I called out a mobile air con specialist, he was very good using a coloured gas to find the leak, which for me was in the condenser rad. Unfortunately that is where most fail as they tend to located in an area to gain the best cooling but are open to the elements (read sh!t) that gets thrown up from under the car.

 

[stephenmercedes]

When my air con went the same way as your, I called out a mobile air con specialist, he was very good using a coloured gas to find the leak, which for me was in the condenser rad. Unfortunately that is where most fail as they tend to located in an area to gain the best cooling but are open to the elements (read sh!t) that gets thrown up from under the car.

That would be great if it was the radiator as I just checked on Ebay and there are numerous listings all about the £50 mark. Unfortunately in Northern Ireland I don't have the luxury of a 'mobile' AirCon engineer

 

[zipdip]

A number of posts have said the condenser,and I suspect they are right, not sure where you are in the UK but try and use a aircon specialist,I used one in Essex it is difficult to see a leak on the condenser even with dye in the gas,because the leak may well be at the back,look to paying around £250 fitted maybe a little more.

 

[stephenmercedes]

...not sure where you are in the UK...

...Unfortunately in Northern Ireland I don't have the luxury of a 'mobile' AirCon engineer

mmm... if only I had given some type of clue LOL

 

[Petrol Pete]

Not really, they have a guarantee that if they can't get your AirCon working with a re gas, you get a refund! I know many people ridicule the likes of KwikFit, but not everyone, including me, can afford the £110/hour labour charge of a MB dealer, or similar high charges that other garages charge. I'm fully aware of the limitations of KwikFit, but they do have their uses. Now I know there is a leak, I will take it to an AirCon specialist next week who I have used in the past (He's just darn awkward to get to but he has sorted out a few previous cars for me)

So you get your money back, big deal. Do you get back the time you have wasted ? No . Take it to them every two days to have it 're gassed' if they honour their money back guarantee you have nothing to loose other than the time you waste sitting in their waiting room for 3 hours every 2 day's . Only a fool would take a car out of warranty to MB for an aircon re gas. I will repeat myself by saying find a local garaged with the correct kit and less than £100 and 3 hours later (if done properly) your air con will be working OR you will know why it is NOT working. My local guy asked me to pop back in a few days if I wanted to so he could check it over again, no charge.

Not really, they have a guarantee that if they can't get your AirCon working with a re gas, you get a refund! I know many people ridicule the likes of KwikFit, but not everyone, including me, can afford the £110/hour labour charge of a MB dealer, or similar high charges that other garages charge. I'm fully aware of the limitations of KwikFit, but they do have their uses. Now I know there is a leak, I will take it to an AirCon specialist next week who I have used in the past (He's just darn awkward to get to but he has sorted out a few previous cars for me)

 

[stephenmercedes]

So you get your money back, big deal. Do you get back the time you have wasted ? No . Take it to them every two days to have it 're gassed' if they honour their money back guarantee you have nothing to loose other than the time you waste sitting in their waiting room for 3 hours every 2 day's .

Wow, you really have it in for KwikFit, don't you. Firstly, for the initial re gas I spent 45 minutes in their waiting room, the second time was only 15 minutes. Indeed I am fortunate to be recovering from cancer right now, so TBH, my 'time' is not an issue as I'm off work and am glad for the distraction. At least now I know there is a leak, and can take it to someone to repair it - I know KwikFit don't do repairs of that nature, so the initial diagnosis has cost me nothing. As you say, I will now progress to my 'local' guy for a permanent solution - thanks for your input...

 

[stephenmercedes]

SOLVED...

Just thought I'd round this thread off. Good catch in a previous post. On taking it to an AirCon guy, he didn't even pressure test it, he pointed out the 'black' stain on the condenser radiator, and one was duly ordered. Was fitted and then recharged. AirCon now re-instated at no great cost. (Rad was £65 inc P&P on Ebay!) Now, just waiting for some decent weather which the rest of the UK has been basking in for ages, but has totally skipped Northern Ireland!

damaged radiator



new Hella rad



Now, that's real shiny...



all sorted...

 

[Benzowner]

Wish mine was that easy, front bumper removal, turbo intercooler removal and all associated clips, 4 hours later all finished. Glad yours is now fully operational, warmer weather was here last weekend

 

[wu56Shoozz]

One thing that was missed for future reference.. when recharging, a dye in the gas is beneficial, as it will show up any future leaks easy.. done this on two of my vehicles..no issues..

 

[MancMike]

Quick fit have the same kit other garages have?!

Big thing on wheels... They hook it up, it pulls a vacuum to evacuate the system and perform a leak test and if that passes, it recharges the system with the gas and oils.

If they brought out a canister with a valve attachment to the top that I can buy from Halfords, I'd be a bit pissed off.